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New York Giants Inquire About Former Baltimore Ravens’ FB Vonta Leach

June 11th, 2013 at 7:56 PM By Doug Rush

On Tuesday morning, we at Giants 101 talked about the impending release or trade of fullback Vonta Leach by the Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens, which ended up happening. And with the New York Giants' current starting fullback Henry Hynoski recovering from knee surgery last month, we talked about the possibility of the Giants looking into Leach, especially since the team has tried to sign him in the past.

Dave Hutchinson of the Newark-Star Ledger is reporting that the Giants have in fact, checked in on Leach and are inquiring on his status. The 31-year-old free agent fullback is scheduled to fly down to Florida to have a visit with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday morning.

At the start of the Giants mandatory three-day mini-camp, Giants head coach Tom Coughlin was asked if they were interested in Leach, and he didn't go into detail if they were, but didn't deny the interest, either.

"We're interested in everybody," said Coughlin.

Back in 2007, the Giants had signed Leach to a four-year offer sheet, but the offer sheet was matched by the Houston Texans. In 2011, when Leach again was a free agent, he was interested in the Giants, but ended up signing a three-year deal with the Ravens and recently just won a Super Bowl with the team in February.

Leach is considered to be one of the, if not, the best fullback in the game and was very key in the success of Ray Rice in the Ravens' running attack. If the Giants were to get into the mix and sign him, he could also be key in making blocks for David Wilson.

Leach was scheduled to make $3 million with Baltimore this season, but after failing to restructure his contract before their mini-camp, Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome released the veteran, thus making him a free agent.

In an interview with KRIV-TV in Houston, Leach's agent, Ralph Vitolo, said that he was interested in going back to Houston to play with the Texans. But they had just signed former Jacksonville Jaguars fullback Greg Jones, so it's not a guarantee that Houston will go after Leach a second time.

"Obviously, which teams you have the best fit at," agent Ralph Vitolo told KRIV-TV. "The most logical fit and the smoothest transition to another team would be Houston because he's already been there. He understands the coaches, the scheme. He's worked with Arian Foster and the rest of the offensive line, so it would be a very smooth transition to go back to Houston."

If Leach wanted to come to the Giants, he may need to take a lot less money, but he would be playing on a playoff contender with the Giants, as opposed to getting top money to play in a place like Miami, who is no sure thing to crack the postseason.

Enough sh|tting on Cruz because he’s trying to get paid. You don’t like his clothing line (who does?), keep the jokes coming, because that’s funny.

But the pure hatred for – get this – an unsigned free agent, one that helped land your team an efing championship 16 months ago, is petty, asinine, stupid, childish and tiring. You think he’s not at Nicks’ level? Fine. But to wish him to leave? You are a moron, and you should turn in your fan card.

I don’t think anyone wishes he’d leave. Nor do I prefer Nicks over him. But I’m damn tired of the guy. Tired of his media wh0ring. Tired of his ceaseless celebrity chase. I wish to never see him without a helmet.

Also, I’d like to expand a bit on the Nicks/Cruz debate. Again, you may think Nicks is the better, more valuable, higher priority, and as is the beauty of sports, I can’t tell you that you’re wrong. And I won’t.

But this silly myth that The Great Saint Eli Manning will get by without Cruz, that his production is easily replaceable is pretty misguided. You’re talking about a guy who had more yards in a single season than any other receiver in the entire 87 year history of the team.

You compare him to Steve Smith? Don’t. Steve Smith was never a threat to a) beat someone deep or b) take a short pass to the house. The only thing they have in common is that they’re smaller in stature and catch a ton of balls. Rather, Victor Cruz’s skills and production are, in fact, uncommon.

As are the skills and production of Nicks. Which is why this is a never ending debate. They’re both great.

But you look like a clown when you make up knocks against Cruz, and pretend that this was a team with a winning record at all without him, both last year, as well as 2011, the year that he, and Nicks, delivered a championship, much to what would hope would be your ultimate enjoyment.

It wasn’t Nicks dominating Nnamdi in Week 3. It wasn’t Nicks dragging the offense out of the dumpster on the goal line in Week 16.

It was Nicks tearing up Atlanta and Green Bay in the first two rounds of the playoffs. It was Cruz tearing up San Francisco in the NFCC*. It was Cruz who made one of the most ridiculous cuts ever seen on his TD catch in the Super Bowl.

It doesn’t matter who’s better and who’s paid more. I want them both. Reese does too. Eli does too. You should too, provided you like to see your team win.

* There was a debate yesterday on the greatness of Zak DeOssie. He’s pretty good. But, man, did he do his best to Trey Junkin the game winning snap in the NFCC. Fortunately for all of us, we had the great Steve Weatherford to save us all.

Glad you said it and not me. For some reason people love to rag on this guy for trying to get paid. As if he forces ESPN and G101 and whoever else to post countless stories about him. And if I’m not mistaken, wasn’t it the Giants who originally made his contract negotiations public?

Anyway these same fans hating on him now will be celebrating when he’s salsa-ing after an 80 yard TD.

Just remember, real respect real. The fans with some intelligence know that Vic is just trying to get paid what he deserves. The ones that don’t understand that aren’t really worth the energy of arguing with.

He’s just become really annoying. Nothing to do with football … or even his contract. Cruz has gotten a lot less likable since he started smoking celebrity crack. He’s not the surprising success story any more. He’s not the undrafted kid from New Jersey who made it to the NFL. He’s Victor ‘Look-at-ME, ain’t I something’ Cruz. And I don’t like this extra-crispy version near as much as I did the original recipe.

Perfectly stated Krow. I suspect this is the deep down source of angst towards Cruz. He wasn’t a diva when we won our last Superbowl, but unfortunately he is now, both on and off the field. IMHO it is very difficult to have the right team chemistry to win championships when you have divas on your team, it is antithetical to the “team first” concept.

Probably no shot at signing Vonte Leach, but he is the BEST FB in the NFL Period! An all-pro 10, 11, 12, and still packs a block of bricks, and in no way is that a shot at Henry Hyno, an awesome FB, kid, worker team mate etc, but if Leach wants to really get some attention, and somehow JR, gets him in here, who knows? It’s like adding a all-pro lineman in the running game, whoa! Hey, it sounds good, but Pascoe will do fine, but Leach made himself worth his salt, and there simply isn’t one better, end of fantasy. CT GIANT

The deal is there is nothing else to talk about. Also, it’s been a while since the Giants have had a “public” contract negotiation. Thinking Strahan was the last with Tiki Barber having to put in his two cents. Been a while since the talking head could focus on Blue.

Truth is Nicks and Cruz benefit from the other being on the field. And that synergy was cubed when Manningham was here. It’s just a matter of fact that covering all three of those guys was a losing proposition for opposing defenses. They were a perfect complement to each other.

Now the Giants would like Randle to play the Super Mario role. I’ve said many times and firmly believe that Randle talent level is in Nicks zip code. Next door neighbors IMO.

I think it would be wise to put on your blinders and simply ignore this melodrama. I would focus instead on the continued development of Randle and Jernigan. The situation is not going anywhere any faster no matter how any of us feel about it. I write it off to being the ugly side of the game. And remember when injury or age comes into play, it will only take a New York City minute for this team or any team to cut ties with Nicks and Cruz.

While I agree that Randle appears to have quite an upside … I’m struggling to have similar faith in JJ. I was fired up when we drafted him. I thought he’d be a weapon. But facts are stubborn things … and he’s done nothing. I’d be thrilled to see him have a break out season. But to be totally honest there’s no evidence to assume it will happen.